2024 Pittsburgh Chinese Cultural Festival (匹兹堡中华文化节将), September 21 in Mellon Park.

The 2024 Pittsburgh Chinese Cultural Festival (匹兹堡中华文化节将) will be held September 21 in Mellon Park (map). Presented by the Pittsburgh Chinese Cultural Center, it will run from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm and feature vendor booths, cultural performances, music, food, and more. The festival grounds at Mellon Park---the southern portion, near the Rose Garden, not the northern portion near the baseball fields and spray park---are in Point Breeze near the intersectiosn of the Shadyside and Squirrel Hill neighborhoods.

"We Learn" Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced Korean classes resume at Carnegie Library in Oakland, Saturdays from September 14 through November 16.

via the Republic of Korea's Flickr page.

The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh branch in Oakland will resume its free "We Learn" Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced Korean classes Saturdays from September 14. 

Sushi Atarashi location in Robinson, with revolving sushi belt, opening on Monday, September 16.

A new Sushi Atarashi is opening in Robinson on Monday, September 16, with a revolving sushi belt. The new restaurant was announced back in April, and its social media has documented the construction journey. It will open at 12:00 pm on its first day, and guests can receive 10% off their order by completing a survey. Sushi Atarashi is a small local chain of build-your-own sushi roll restaurants, formerly known as Sushi Fuku, with several locations in the area, and the new Robinson restaurant is locaated at 210 McHolme Dr. (map).

1981 Japanese film Mobile Suit Gundam in Pittsburgh, October 2 and 6.

The 1981 Japanese film Mobile Suit Gundam will play in Pittsburgh on October 2 and 6, part of the three-part AXCN Gundam Fest showing the films compiled from the initial Gundam TV series.

In Universal Century year 0078, the space colony Side 3 declares itself the Principality of Zeon and launches a war of independence against the Earth Federation. Eight months have passed since the war entered into a deadlock. Learning of a secret plot by the Federation Forces, the Zeon Forces launch reconnaissance followed by an attack against Side 7. A young boy by the name of Amuro gets wrapped up in the war, and by coincidence ends up piloting the mobile suit Gundam and defeating the enemy. The Federation’s White Base, having lost its proper crew in the battle, escapes from Side 7 with forces still in training and civilians both.

It plays locally, in Japanese with English subtitles, at the AMC Loews Waterfront and the Cinemark in Robinson, and tickets are available online. The other two films derived from the Gundam series will play in Pittsburgh later in October.

Hello Kitty Cafe Truck at Ross Park Mall, September 28.

via @HellyKittyCafeTruck

The Hello Kitty Cafe Truck will return to Ross Park Mall on September 28.

Hello Pittsburgh! The Hello Kitty Cafe Truck is returning to Ross Park Mall on Saturday 9/28! Come say hello to us between the Cheesecake Factory and LL Bean from 10am-7pm, and pick up some supercute treats & merch, while supplies last! See you there!

More information about the truck and its tours available via Sanrio. Ross Park Mall is located in Ross Township in the North Hills, just off McKnight Road (map).

2023 Korean film A Normal Family (보통의 가족) added to SCREENSHOT: ASIA film festival, September 28.

The 2023 Korean film A Normal Family (보통의 가족) will play in Pittsburgh on September 28, a recent addition to the SCREENSHOT: ASIA film festival.

Based on the novel The Dinner, the film explores the limits of personal morality in a time of familial crisis. Two brothers, Jae-wan and Jae-gyu, are worlds apart when it comes to their moral views. While Jae-gyu prioritizes his patients’ well-being, Jae-wan is a slick lawyer racking up successes wherever he can. Meanwhile, Jae-wan’s shy son and Jae-wan’s rebellious daughter get into their own legal troubles, which throws a wrench into each brothers’ worldview. Over several increasingly tense dinners, the brothers find themselves questioning their bond, their children, and their own senses of right and wrong in the world. This tense thriller pushes the limits of the men’s characters, and, as the nights progress, the brothers and their wives each reach surprising, different resolutions that set off an eventual catastrophe.

It will play at 2:00 pm in the Frick Fine Arts Auditorium on the University of Pittsburgh campus (map) and tickets are available online.

Smile Thai & Sushi coming soon to Oakland.

Signage is now up for Smile Thai & Sushi, coming soon to Oakland in the spot long occupied by Spice Island Tea House. The new spot was hinted at in Spice Island's online goodbye message back in July, excerpted below:

We have vacated Atwood Street in Oakland, and new owners with a new Thai concept have taken over the space. Since we closed regular service back in September last year, we’ve been looking for a fitting restauranteur to take over the space so that Atwood Street would remain an interesting and diverse food destination in Oakland. We wish the new owners much success, and we hope that you will support them once they open for business.

Smile Thai & Sushi will be located at 253 Atwood St. (map).

Kpop group Loossemble (루셈블) in Pittsburgh, October 14.

The Korean girl group Loossemble will perform in Pittsburgh on October 14, part of a nine-city US tour this fall. Tickets for the show at Roxian Theatre are still available. The five-member group debuted in September 2023 but missed Pittsburgh on their inaugural eight-city tour last year.

Concert film TAEYONG: TY TRACK IN CINEMAS in Pittsburgh, October 16 and 19.

The upcoming concert film TAEYONG: TY TRACK IN CINEMAS, with Taeyong from the Korean group NCT, will play in Pittsburgh on October 16 and 19.

Experience the unparalleled talent of NCT’s TAEYONG in his first solo concert 'TY TRACK' on the big screen! Dive into the mesmerizing world of TAEYONG, experiencing his diverse music and captivating performances. 'TY TRACK' presents a stunning array of music and vibrant stages that showcase TAEYONG's unique artistic vision, all presented on a cinematic scale. Witness the journey behind the scenes as TAEYONG prepares for his groundbreaking concert. Step onto the stage with him, and hear the heartfelt stories he has longed to share. 'TAEYONG: TY TRACK IN CINEMAS' is a deep dive into the music, the artist, and the incredible journey that has shaped his path.

It is scheduled to play locally, so far, at the AMC Loews Waterfront, though additional theaters are likely to be announced later. Tickets are available online.

Upcoming film Jung Kook: I Am Still in Pittsburgh, from September 18.

The upcoming film Jung Kook: I Am Still will play in Pittsburgh from September 18.

Jung Kook of BTS, the '21st Century Pop Artist,' ascended to global stardom with his debut solo single 'Seven (feat. Latto)' in July 2023. Achieving unprecedented success, Jung Kook became the first Asian solo artist to top the Billboard HOT 100, Global 200, and Global 200 Excl. US charts. His singles 'Seven,' '3D (feat. Jack Harlow),' and 'Standing Next to You' all reached the top 10 of the Billboard HOT 100, making him the only K-pop solo artist to achieve this feat. His album ‘GOLDEN’ also made history by staying on the Billboard 200 for 24 consecutive weeks. Through exclusive, unseen interviews and behind-the-scenes footage, alongside electrifying concert performances, this brand new film showcases Jung Kook’s eight-month journey, capturing his unwavering dedication and growth. Join Jung Kook as he shares his remarkable rise to fame and heartfelt moments with ARMY around the world in 'JUNG KOOK: I AM STILL'.

It runs select dates through September 29. Jung Kook: I Am Still is scheduled to play locally at the AMC Loews Waterfront and the Cinemark theaters in McCandless, Monroeville, and Robinson, and tickets are available online.